Jerusalem
Three days after Assassinations
Eight days to Announcement
Zeb didn’t sense any danger when he scanned the street. There was a taxi line outside, on the street, all of which had been checked out by the Israeli police. A steady stream of cars arrived in both hotels’ forecourts, which, as the ambassador had described, were separated by a waist-high wall.
Discreet, armed security was present in front of both establishments, as was the case with every hotel on the street.
Every guest in both hotels had been investigated as well. No danger there. Armed guards prevented unauthorized people from going to the rooms where the passage was.
Zeb had messaged Levin on the drive, asking him about Monash’s revelations about the hotels.
‘She’s correct,’ the ramsad had replied. ‘Security is good. I am confident no hostile can enter either place.’
Zeb had no reason to doubt the director. Still, he watched, allowing his unconscious mind to absorb the flow of vehicles, letting his instincts warn him if there was any danger.
His radar stayed quiet.
The ambassador stepped out of the decoy hotel several hours later, when shadows were lengthening. He held the door open for her and was the last to climb in.
‘Everything’s good?’ he asked Alice Monash.
‘Yeah,’ came the satisfied reply. ‘I gave a pep talk to both teams. Boosted morale, especially that of the Palestinians. Looks like we are making progress.’
They drove back to the embassy, using circuitous routes again. The ambassador stayed back in the car when they arrived and signaled to her detail to leave her alone with Zeb.
‘Your friend, Levin, is under pressure.’
‘I know,’ he replied.
‘You know about this unit Cantor has put together?’
‘Yeah. Avichai told me.’
‘I got a call from the prime minister. He had wrapped up a meeting with the unit. He had also met Levin, Shoshon, Levitsky. The investigation hasn’t made any progress.’
That was news to Zeb. He had been so focused on the Mossad kidon that he hadn’t caught up with Levin. Other than to exchange messages on various kidon.
‘Cantor’s cabinet is rounding on your friend. They want the prime minister to allow Shabak to investigate the kidon.’
‘That would put at risk—’
‘I know.’ The ambassador blew out a tired breath. ‘Cantor knows, too. The other ministers have asked for Levin to be replaced, too. The prime minister has stood his ground. For now.’
Not for long, though. It is a coalition. He can’t withstand political pressure forever.
‘What about Levin? How did he react?’
‘He didn’t. That man has ice-cold nerves. Cantor said he just smiled and made no comment.’
He’s counting on me, Zeb thought bleakly. He looked at the clock on the car’s dash. Seven pm.
There was time to check out a few more kidon.